After a year at Thornwood, Jordan Lewis returned to Richards where he made the varsity team as a freshman.
Bulldogs coach Tony Sheehan was happy to have Lewis back and so were his players.
“They were welcoming. The guys love him,” Sheehan said after Richards’ 28-25 rivalry win against visiting Oak Lawn on Oct. 2. “Even when one leaves, you’re a part of the team no matter what.”
Now in his junior season, Lewis is stepping up as the lead running back for the Bulldogs alongside his quarterback and friend, Eric Jacobs.
“When I transferred back in January, we told each other that we were going to make this work,” Lewis said. “We came in together so we have chemistry. It’s great to be back with my brother.”
“Jordan is my favorite running back I’ve ever played with,” Jacobs said.
Lewis caught a short pass from Jacobs and turned it into a 68-yard touchdown late into fourth quarter of the Bulldogs’ comeback win over the previously unbeaten Spartans.
“I knew my team needed me,” Lewis said. “We were down a touchdown. This play worked all year and nobody could touch me. I just thank God that He let me break out.”
“Jordan is a really good running back,” Jacobs said. “He’s going to get the job done if we need him to get the job done.”
Lewis also had 132 yards on 16 carries for Richards (5-2, 4-0 South Suburban Red).
With the Bulldogs down 11 early in the fourth quarter, Jacobs’ speed sparked the turnaround. He returned a kickoff 65 yards for a touchdown
Jacobs threw for 152 yards and two touchdowns, including a 55-yard touchdown to Naquan Griffin right before halftime. Jacobs also rushed seven times for 75 yards and a touchdown.
For Oak Lawn (6-1, 4-1), quarterback Danny Strelow ran for a touchdown and threw for 170 yards and two more TDs: a 39-yarder to Blake Hovanes and a 79-yarder to Kamari Polk. The latter score gave Oak Lawn a 25-14 lead with 8:19 left.
Jayden Schlosser had 33 carries for 162 yards for the Spartans.
Oak Lawn had a shot to win with 56.3 seconds to go, but fumbled at the Richards’ 1-yard line. The Bulldogs’ Josh Valenzuela, who typically just plays offensive line, got to play defense for the first time in awhile and came up with the loose ball.
“We had to throw him in. Whatever it takes,” Sheehan said.
The Bulldogs QB/RB tandem began as backups but credit their speed for keeping them on the field.
“We like to have speed competitions at practice,” Jacobs said. “We like to compete.”
“They are tough kids who want to win and want the ball in their hands,” Sheehan said.
Jacobs’ mother died last year, and he and Lewis connected through prayer. Their bond has grown stronger as their prayers have continued.
“We pray together, we do everything together..that’s like my brother,” Lewis said. “We do it after practice, before a drive. We pray God keeps us safe in the car and make sure we get to our destination.”
Richards has now won five straight games since opening with back-to-back losses to DePaul Prep and Homewood-Flossmoor. Despite the recent success, Lewis and the Bulldogs know they must come ready if they want to keep winning.
“We’re the Bulldogs. We got 37 conference championships,” Lewis said. “They’re not just going to lay down for us. They are going to come and play their best football.”